Woman Booked for Misusing Bank Account in ₹70.85 Lakh Cyber Fraud Case; Karnataka Cyber Command Cracks Down on Mule Network

A woman has been booked for allegedly allowing her bank account to be used in a ₹70.85 lakh cyber fraud case, as the Karnataka Cyber Command intensified its statewide crackdown on mule bank accounts and so-called “mule herders.”

Officials said the case is part of a larger special drive launched across Karnataka to dismantle networks that route proceeds of cybercrime through unsuspecting or complicit account holders.

₹70.85 Lakh Routed Through Account

According to investigators, the woman’s bank account was used to receive and transfer funds linked to a cyber fraud amounting to ₹70.85 lakh. Authorities believe the account functioned as a “mule account” — a bank account used to launder money obtained through online scams.

Police said the funds were quickly transferred to multiple other accounts in a bid to layer transactions and obscure the money trail.

Statewide Special Drive

The action comes amid an intensified drive by the Karnataka Cyber Command targeting mule accounts and individuals known as “mule herders” — those who recruit people to open or share bank accounts for illegal financial transactions.

Officials stated that hundreds of suspicious accounts have been flagged in recent weeks. Many of these accounts were allegedly opened using forged documents or under false pretences.

How Mule Networks Operate

Cybercrime experts explain that fraudsters often recruit account holders by offering small commissions or misleading them about the purpose of the transactions. In some cases, vulnerable individuals are tricked into sharing account details without understanding the legal consequences.

Once money from phishing scams, investment frauds, or digital arrest scams is credited, it is rapidly moved through multiple accounts to prevent recovery.

Legal Action and Warning

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. The accused woman is being questioned to determine whether she knowingly participated in the scheme or was misled.

Authorities have warned citizens against sharing bank account details, ATM cards, or OTPs with anyone. They emphasized that even “lending” an account can result in criminal liability.

The Karnataka Cyber Command has urged people to verify suspicious financial requests and report cybercrime immediately through official helplines.

Investigations are ongoing to trace the larger network behind the ₹70.85 lakh fraud and identify other mule accounts linked to the racket.